Ferguson rejects claims Scholes will retire at end of season

Sir Alex Ferguson has comprehensively dismissed claims that Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes will retire at the end of the season.

Reports had previously suggested that the 38-year-old Scholes, who has scored one goal in seven appearances this campaign, had told friends he will call an end to his career for the second time next summer. Ferguson believes the former England international has no such plans, though, and that he would be the first person Scholes would consult if he did.

"I would be surprised if Paul had spoken to someone without speaking to me - and he hasn't - so we can dismiss that,” Ferguson told reporters.

The United boss was also keen to quash similar speculation about Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand, stating that any rumors stem simply from the club’s contract policy.

"Ryan could play for another year or two. Rio has been terrific,” Ferguson said. “The speculation comes from our policy of only giving older players one-year contracts."